The North Carolina Clean Marina program is a voluntary initiative designed to recognize marina operators for their efforts toward environmental stewardship by implementing Clean Marina practices.
Recent funding from the N.C. Coastal Nonpoint Source Program and N.C. Coastal Reserve created a position to support and enhance program growth. The new coordinator will travel coast-wide to market the program, certify new marinas, present educational workshops, create boater awareness and recertify existing Clean Marinas.
The Duke University Marine Lab marina in Beaufort and Northwest Creek Marina in New Bern are the most recent facilities to be certified as North Carolina Clean Marinas.
To earn certification, a marina meets the criteria developed by the Division of Coastal Management and the N.C. Marine Trades Program. Once designated as a Clean Marina, marinas are eligible to fly the Clean Marina flag and use the logo in their advertising. The voluntary program provides the opportunity for marina operators to take an extra step in protecting the coastal resources their business depends on.
Under the updated program, marinas will be recertified every two years to maintain their Clean Marina status. Recent Clean Marina recertifications include Casper's Marina of Swansboro and Matthews Point Marina of Havelock.
The Clean Marina Program also administers the N.C. Pumpout Station Grant Program with Clean Vessel Act funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The N.C. Pumpout Station Grant Program provides funding for marinas to purchase, install and maintain pumpouts for public use. North Carolina recently received $118,500 from the USF&WS for pumpout facilities at coastal marinas.For information about the Clean Marina Program or Pumpout Station Grant Program, contact Jenny Webber at 252-728-2170 / jennifer.m.webber@ncmail.net, or visit the Clean Marina Program Website.
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